Convertible awning and shutter



Jan. 3l, 1933. c. F. MILLER ET AL 1,895,723

CONVERTIBLE AWNING AND SHUTTER Filed Dec. ll, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 3

-2 mm '-9 E m :l E n G N Y la [L W l /r f3 E5 2 m ,rm

FlG.l

Jan. 31, 1933. c. F. MILLER ET AL CONVERTIBLE AWNING AND SHUTTER Filed Deo. 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm/Wow Charles f.' MZler Se/z Wrzmda Jan. 31, 1933. c. F, MILLER-:TAL 1,895,723

CONVERTIBLE AwNING AND sHUTTER Filed Deo. 1l, .1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6

Charles F11/[flier Se/ WBrunaage FIG. 7

Patented Jan. `31, 1933 i UNITED STATES.

ATE'NT OFFICE." i.

' CHARLES 'l'. MILLER, AND siifrn W. 'BnUNDAenorf Miami, FLORIDA CONVERTIBLE AWNNGAND SHUTTER The invention relates to protective devices for the window openings in buildings.

The principal object of the invention, vgenerally stated, is to provide meansadaptedto l serve either as an awning for shading the window vagainst excessive light and protecting it against rain, or for closing the .window opening entirely to form a protectionv in the event pf a severe storm or in case it is desired 1 to leave the building unoccupied for. a. considerable time. I f Y An important object of the invention is 'to provide a l convertible or combined awning and shutter which is of sectional formation Y 1.5 and which is adapted to be partially folded or collapsed when initselevated orawning forming position with the parts or sections maintained in a certain fixed relation.r

. Another. object of. the invention is to pro- 29 vide a protective device of this character having novel means for mounting the same uponthe building and having other novel means pivotally or movably connecting the sections or parts in such manner that they will move into the proper overlapping collapsed relation when the deviceis `shifted to awning forming position, and so that the parts or sections will be brought intoaline-V ment for forming a shutter or closurefor the "3Q opening when the device is lowered.

Y Another important object of the invention is to provide a device,` of this type in which the sections are so connected that whenthe device is raised to awning forming position one section will underlie the other and act as a substantial brace therefor which will Vassist in maintaining the device inthe awning forming position with verylittlestrain upon Whatever means is providedV for holding it An additionalobject of the invention isl to providea structure of this character` which will be-`simple and inexpensive toV manufacture, easy to install-and operate, positive in action, eii'icient and` durable in service,.and"a general improvement in the art.l

To the attainment of th foregolng yand otherv objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists inthe detailsof construction and thearrangement and `combination of parts to be hereinafter: .more fully de-V scribed and claimed, andillustrated inthe accompanying ydrawingsinwhich f Figurel is an elevation ofthe device from` the outside ofv the building showing itin shutter forming position,

FigureZ-isa vertical ross'sectional view` taken on the line of Figure 1 with' the valance omitted,

. Figure 3is a view similar toFigure Qshogw-Y KJ ing the initialmovementof the endm-ost section 4when the device a is. vbeing raised into awning forming position,

Figure 4 is a similar viewshowing the position of the parts during the raising move.- k

ment,but prior to thel nal location,

vice raised. fully, into its awning yforming Figure is a vertical sectional view-taken on the line 6--6 of. FigureQ showing an inside view of the ldevice in shutter forming position,

Figure 7 isan elevation of the window lfrom the inside o f the building showing location of the parts,and

Figuref8 isa detai for holding the shutter closed.

. Referring more particularly tothe draws.

ings, the numeral `1 designates the` wall of a building-having av window opening2 thereinA lower sections 6 and wwhich are preferably l Figure 5 is a similar view, showing the de-` s lv view showing the `holde,` ing means for theraising cable and the device thexnumeral 5 and comprising upper `and rigid inl .constructionand which` maybe formed of any suitable material such as metal or wood and which may be finished in any desired manner to have a neat and attractive appearance and to be capable of withstanding the weather. If these sections be formed rof woodthey may well be covered with canvas or the like to exclude moisture from the materiall and, in any eventthe section'7 may f be provided Vwith a valancel 8 so that it will resemble` aV conventionalY awning, the attractivenessbemg Vconsequently enhanced. The

upper section 6 Vis pivotally vmounted above` thefwindow opening as by meansA ofV a hinge or khinges 9 which are preferablys'ecured upon a strip 10l secured to the outside of .the'building wall, an angular metallic trough-'like guardY 11 being provided which'extends over the hinged end of the section 6 for the purpose of excluding water` from: the joint and. preventing rain vfrom beating in behind the device.

The section`7 of theprotector is connected withfthe section 6`by a peculiartype of link connection whereby rit may move/ from aposition in alineme'nt therewith when in closed position, as shown :in Figures 1 andv 2 into ure 5.

overlappingrelation thereto as shown in Fig'- and 7, it being a preferredl construction that these arms form the sides Yof arrec'tangular framer comprising. horizontal connecting portions 13 and 14CY pivoted ,to the sections as by l means of clips 15 or the like.' However,-'this structure lis simply suggestive asA alternative arrangements will bereadily apparent; f The adjacent ends of the sections 6 and 7 are preferably stepped as indicated at'16 so as topro- 'vide a lapped joint when the sections'arein 4ov alinement to yform a shutter. l e The mounting further comprises brace arms 17 pivotedat 18 upon the window frame or side ofthe building and pivotally rconnectmay be resorted to, these brace' arms 17 may simply constitute the sides of a U-rshaped frame-like member including ahorizontal ed with the lower end portion of the section 7. While different mechanical eXpedients b ight portion 19 disposed against the inner side of'the section 7 andzpivoted with respect thereto as by means of bearing clips 20, shown tiallycut vaway or recessed at V2,1 and 22,1re-

However, it should lbe` under-Vv stood that this is a mere refinement anddoes Y notaiect the spirit of most clearly in Figure 6. To facilitate the mounting of the clips 15 and V20 the intermel Idiateportions of theinner or undersides ofthe yksections and 7 are represented' as parspectively.

material extent. Y

The means for raising the device from the loweredy or'shutter forming position shown in Figures 1 and 2 into the elevated or awning forming position shown in Figure 5` preferablycomprises a exib'le membemsuch "as a In actual `practice k this connection. Vcomprises arms 12 pivoted to the sections 6 30l V the invention to any" chain or the like 23, with a cord attached to the end, and which is dead ended at 24 at the lower end of the section 6, which is trainedv beneath a guide pulleyl 25 and about a guide pulley 26, both of which are on the underside of the section 7 which is trainedover a guide pulley 27 on the ,underside of* the upper end portion of the section 7, which then ypasses over a guide pulley 28 mounted inan opening 29k at the upper endoffthe section 6, 4 Y

and which'then passes through an opening 3() at thejtopmof :the window frame, itfbeing e Y preferable to provide a guide vpulley 31'at the Vinnerend ofY this lopening and airY additional guide pulley 32 onthe inside of the windowY frame adjacent the opening. The free end of the'flexible member is'intended to hang down withintheroom in convenient'positionto be grasped and pulled'by the operator when it is,

desired to shift the device into awningform- Vprefer to mount on the window frame aX- ture 33 'which embodies aneye d 34- through which the liezrible member extends, thflexiblememberb'eing equippedwith ajkey or-'pin soif , ing position.l At some convenient location, we

35 at its free end adapted to be passedthrough the proper'one 'of the links' in theV chain for vmaintaining the flexible"-mcmber under tenfree end thereof,"V the cord passingthrough and the chain vbeing adapted topass through anjopening es in the Window-frame. Thelfix'- ture 33 is shown as having an opening=39 therein'regi'stering with the opening 38 for the passa-ge of thecord 37V and chain 36, the intention ,be-ing thatiwhenl the'y device is V'in lowered position as shown in Figures land 2 V a pinl o r key 4,0"0'11 theend of the cord 37 may e be passed through whicheverr 'link 'of the? chainis at the opening '39 so as tohold the chain 36 taut and prevent the device frombeing Vopenedgfrom` the ontside'of the building. In the operation, when the deviceis in shutter forming position,` these'ctions 6 and 7 are in alinement withthe latter 'below the former andvfith4 .the stepped portions 16 Ainterfitting to form a weatherlproofjoint." They chain -36 is heldunder tension as' above de#V scribed for holding the device secure .so that it could not be yoplenedjby, anintruder with! out 'destroying'the device and making sufv icient noise to attract attention. In' this way the :device is ofparticular advantage as` a protection when the building is. tobe left unoccupied for an appreciable time.v Of course it is readily apparentv that when Vthe device is in'this position it Will'serve as an adequate protection y"against hurricanes and other violent storms .which might blowzjin an Ul I izo Y unprotected window and cause serious damage.

When it is desired to use the device as an awning, it is first necessary to disengage the pin or key 40 from the chain 36 so as to release the holding action. The operator then grasps the cord at the inner end of the flexible member 23'and pulls upon it. As this iiexible member is confined between the stepped portions 16, as indicated in Figure 2, the rst effect will be to throw out the section 7 so that it will no longer be in alinement with the section 6. This initial movement is well disclosed in Figure 3 of the drawings. As the pull upon the flexible member is continued, the member 7 is moved upwardly, the arms 17 pivoting at 18 and 20, and the frame member including the arms 12 pivoting at the clips 15. The section 6 remains in depending vertical position during this movement and it will be seen that the section 7 swings first upwardly and outwardly until the arms 12 are horizontal, and then continues to swing upwardly but inwardly toward the wall of the building until the upper end of the section 7 approaches a position beneath the water-shed 1l. This position is illustrated in Figure 4. As the pull is continued, the lower end of the section 6 swings outwardly and into engagement against the underside of the section 7, at the same time that the section 7 is forced home beneath the watershed 11.

The engagement of the section 6 beneath the section 7 will brace the section 7 and assist in holding it in its inclined elevated position. The key or pin 35 carried by the cord forming the end of the flexible member 37 is then passed through the proper one of the links in the chain portion thereof for maintaining this fiexible member under tension and consequently holding the device in its elevated or awning forming position. Owing to the fact that the section 6 engaging flatly against the underside of the section 7 tends to hold the section 7 against dropping down, it is apparent that very little strain will come upon the flexible member 23. However, the tension will be sufficient to hold the parts securely against movement and consequent rattling in the event of a wind storm.

When it is desired, as for example upon the approach of a storm to lower the device to protect the window, it is first necessary to disengage the key or pin 35 from the flexible member 23, whereupon gravity may be sufficient to lower the parts. If not, it is a simple matter to apply a slight pull upon the iiexible member 37, preferably while maintaining a grip upon the flexible member 23 so that the sections 7 and 6 will swing down gently into their alined position closing the window opening, subsequently to which the flexible member 37 should be pulled taut and the key or pin 40 inserted through the proper link in the chain portion 36.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that we have thus provided a simply constructed and easily installed device which will efficiently perform the functions for which it is intended. It should be noted that owing to the particular and peculiar arrangement of the' flexible member for raising purposes and the pulleys with which the' same cooperates, ample leverage is: obtained for effecting the raising in a very easy manner and' without requiring the exercise of any great degree of strength, this making'the device particularly suitable for use on dwelling houses. where it may be possible that the device will need toy be manipulated perhaps by a woman or a child. When the device is in its awning forming position it will act the same as any other` awning in excluding undesired light and in protecting the window opening against moderate rain and wind. The advantages of they device when in shutter forming position have already been discussed and a repetition thereof is unnecessary. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the. disclosure is merely an exemplification of the principles involved as the rightis reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as. will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the, spirit of the/invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, we claim 1. In a protective device for a window opening, a relatively rigid member formed of sections, one section being pivoted above the window opening, brace means pivotally connected with the building wall and the lower end portion of the other section, arm members pivotally connecting the lower portion of the'irst named section with the upper portion of the second named section whereby said sections are capable of relative swinging movement and whereby the upper edge of the second named section is caused to move in an arcuate path from adjacent the lower edge of the firstnamed section to adjacent the upper edge thereof.

2. In a device of the character described, a protecting member formed of upper and lower sections, the Lipper section being pivoted at the top of a window opening, brace means pivotally connected with the lower section and with the building wall, arm means pivotally connecting the upper portion of the lower section with the upper section and means connected with both sections for swinging said sections into inclined positions above the window opening, said brace and arm means being adapted to cause the inner face of the lower section to be disposed in contiguous overlapping relation with the outer face of the upper section when the sections are disposed in inclined positions.

In a device of the character described, a: protecting member formed of upper and lower sections, the upper section being pivoted. at the top of a window opening, brace means pivotally connected with thelower section and with the building wall, arm means pivotally connecting the upper portion of theI lower section with the upper section and means connected with both sections for swinging the lower section outwardly and upwardly into inclined position above the window opening and for subsequently swinging theupper section outwardly into engagement beneath the lower section, said arm means permitting upward movement of the lower section independently of movement of the upper section.

4i. In a device of the characterdescribed, a protecting member formed of upper and lower sections, the upper section being pivotally mounted above the window opening for vertical swinging movement, arm members pivotally connecting both sections, and means forswinging the lower section outwardly and upwardly into inclined position extending downwardly from the top of the windowopening and for subsequently swinging the upper section outwardly whereby the outer face of the upper section is brought into contiguous relation with the inner face of the lower section beneath the lower section.

5. In a device of the character described7 a protecting member formed of'upper and lower sections adapted to be disposed in substantially vertical alinement to serve as a shutter for a window opening and in inclined overlappingrelation to serve as an awning therefor, the upper section being pivotally mounted above the window opening for vertical swinging movement, arm members pivotally connecting' the lower section to the upper section, and means for swinging said sections into inclined positions adjacent the top of the window opening, said arm members being adapted to cause the upper edge of the lower section to move upwardly relatively to the lower edge of the upper section when the sections are actuated to assume overlapping relation.

6. In a device of the character described, a protecting member formed of pivotally mounted independently movable adjoining sections, one section being pivoted at the top of a.- window opening, means connected with the sections for initiallymoving one section and for subsequently moving the other section to bring said sections into lapping relation in inclined position at the top of the window tures.

CHARLES F. MILLER. vSETH W. BRUNDAGE. 

